Depressible traffic signal



Jan. 25, 1927.

G. L. ESTES DEPRESSIBLE TRAFFIC SIGNAL Filed June 7, 1926 Ig/(lgENTOR.VZF QW ATTORIVEYS.

Patented Jan. 25, 1927.

I 1,615,576 PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE L. ESTES, OF OKLAHOMA CITY OKLAHOMA, ASSIGNOR TO EZRA L. ESTES,

OF SHAWNEE, OKLAHOMA.

DEPRESSIBLE TRAFFIC SIGNAL.

Application filed June 7,

The present invention relates to trafiic signal devices, and aims toprovide a novel and efiicient warning signal for intersectingtrafficways and of such a character as not to offor any obstruction tothe traflic vehicles.

Accordingly, the principal object of the invention is to provide asignal device devised for carrying out the foregoing objects,

of the invention, after which those particular features and combinationsdeemed to be novel will be particularly set forth and claimed.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a frontelevation, illustrating a signaldevice constructed in accordance in pairs to the opposite faces of theplate with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical section, representing a section taken on the lineIL -II of Figure 1; 1

Figure 3 is a plan view of the device; Figure 4 is a central verticalsection, representing a section taken on the line IVIV of Figure 3; J

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken on the line VV of Figure 4: and

Figure 6 is a detailsection, taken on the line VI-VJ of Figure 1.

Referrin'g now to th this shows my improved signal device as comprisinga base plate member 10 which is adapted to be mounted upon the surfaceof a highway, indicated at 12, and-anchored thereto by means of anysuitable fastening means 14, such as screws, bolts. pins or the like.Mounted centrally and longitudinally of the plate 10 is a bearingbracket memher 15 removably secured to the base plate by like screws 16.The bracket member 1s formed with bearings 17 for journalmg a shaft 18designed to afford an oscillating support for the signal member propercomprising the plate ,19, the lower corners of which are formed withpro]ec t1ng lugs 20 for embracing the shaft 18 achacent to the bearings17. One of said lugs 20 embraces drawing in detail,

1926. Serial No. 114,208.

the squared portion 18 of said shaft, which portion 18 also carries acrank arm 22 having a forked end 23 and pin 24 for attaching a rod 21carrying a series of weight elements 25. Theie weight elements aresuspended within a housing 26 formed at one end of the base plate 10 andadapted to be embedded substantially entirely below the surface of thehighway. To prevent too great a range ofmovement of the weights, thelatter are yieldingly connected by means of spring elements 27 to thesides of the housing 26 (Figure 2). A cap member 28 is removably securedby means of screws 29 to the top margin of the housing 26.

At least one of the .faces of the signal member 19 is designed to carrythe desired signalindicia such as the letters forming the Word stop orwhatever other warning, such as the word slow. or the like. that is tobe given to approaching traific. Preferably also the signal member isprovided with suitable reflector elements such as disks of colored glass30, adapted to be illuminated by the glare of headlights; these aresecured 19 by means of disk holder plates 32 anda single bolt 34 foreach pair of said disks 30 and plates 32', as shown in Figure 6.

In practice, it is proposed to mount the above described device ateither the margin, that is, side edge portion of a highway, or at anyappropriate point, such as the middle of the street or traflicway whereit merges into a cross or intersecting highway. In either case, theweight housing portion 26 is embedded below the surface of the pavementor road bed, leaving the base plate 10 resting flat on the top surfaceof the pavement or roadbed where it and the movable signal member may beengaged by the wheels of the traffic, if need be, without offering anymaterial obstruction to-the latter. Thus, when the tra-fiic is obligedto pass directly over the signal member, this being free to rock withthe shaft 18, simply swings in either direction, as indicated in Figure2, and thereafter is automatically restored to upright position by theaction of the wei hts 25. Likewise, when the device is engage by streetcleaning, street sweeping or other devices, their operation is notinterfered with by my signal device, and no damage is done theprojection above the surface of the pavement or roadbed as the signalmember is deressed, so that the obstruction to traffic moving in eitherdirection is practically a negli ible quantity. Any desired indicia maye placed-upon the other face of the signal member, such as the name ofthe cross highway in case the signal is mounted at a highwayintersection. The demountable character of the signal and the bracketmembers enables these and the cap member 28 to be removed in the winterseason in some localities, if desired, on account of ice, etc,obstructing its operation, the housing 26 being simply filled uptemporarily with earth or gravel to present an even top surface.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a practical and inexpensivedevice for carrying out the desired objects of the invention, and whileI have illustratedwhat is now regarded as its preferred form, I desireto reserve the right to make such changes as may fairly fall within thescope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A traflic signal device comprising a base plate adapted to besupported directly upon the surface of the road bed, and provided with ahousing projecting below the plane of said base plate, an oscillatingshaft mounted on said base plate and provided with a crank arm carryinga weight suspended within said housing, and a signal member carried bysaid shaft and normally maintained by said weight in upright position.

2. A traffic signal device comprising a base plate adapted to besupported directly upon the surface ofthe roadbed, and provided with ahousing projecting below the plane of said base plate, an oscillatingshaft mounted on said base plate and provided with a crank arm, a weightpivotally and freely suspended-from said crank arm, yielding meansassociated with said weight and restraining the latter from excessiveswinging movement, and a signal member carried by said shaft andnormally maintained by said weight in upright position.

In witness whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

GEORGE L. ESTES.

